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For veterans living with PTSD, an accurate VA disability rating can make a significant difference in accessing the financial benefits and support they need to lead stable lives. Unfortunately, many veterans find that their initial rating doesn’t fully reflect the severity of their condition. This can lead to financial strain and emotional frustration.
If you’re a veteran with service-connected PTSD and are seeking to increase your VA rating, you’re not alone. Understanding the system and taking the right steps can improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve. Keep reading for tips on how to potentially secure a 100 percent PTSD VA rating.
Why the VA Issues Incorrect Ratings
Many veterans are ultimately disappointed with their VA rating for PTSD, even though their claim was not denied. In some cases, these outcomes are due to a combination of inherent challenges and personal missteps. For example, a miscommunication during the Compensation and Pension exam could lead a veteran to underreport their symptoms or struggle to articulate the true impact of PTSD on their daily lives. This sometimes happens because veterans under report the severity of their symptoms.
Another factor is incomplete or outdated medical records, which fail to provide a comprehensive picture of the veteran’s mental health history. Symptoms are often undervalued or misinterpreted, especially when the connection between PTSD and its effects on work or relationships isn’t well documented.
In other scenarios, the VA might simply make a mistake. The decision-makers within the VA are human and not immune to errors. There are also cases that involve rare or uncommon circumstances that might have little precedent to rely on. Those are the times when an attorney can be especially helpful during the appeals process.
Ways to Improve Your Rating
The good news is that it may be possible to improve your VA rating for PTSD. This is true even if you have previously filed a claim and either received a denial or an award you feel is unreasonably low. There are also steps you can take to improve the strength of your initial claim for benefits.
Gather Your Medical Records
The records of your medical treatment have a prominent role in this process. Ultimately, the outcome of your claim will hinge on what is contained in those records. That means if you fail to follow the treatment plan laid out by your physician and specialists, it can hurt your chances of securing disability benefits. When your condition changes, it is also vital to seek out your care providers and ensure your records are updated. Everything from therapy reports to specialist opinions is helpful here.
Prepare for the C&P Exam
The VA often has limited information when it comes to making a decision regarding your disability. One of the tools the VA relies on is known as a Compensation and Pension exam. Informally known as C&P exams, these take place with VA-approved medical professionals.
The extent of an exam can vary, from a brief evaluation to in an-depth review of your medical history. The best way to get an optimal result is by showing up on time and prepared. Always answer questions truthfully and bring any relevant forms and records with you. Do not minimize your symptoms as the VA rates your PTSD based on your symptoms.
Rely on an Attorney
There are strict limitations on how an attorney can help you with the veterans’ claim process. Unfortunately, our firm is unable to assist you in preparing your initial claim. This can leave many veterans confused with the process and unable to get the results they deserve.
Thankfully, lawyers are permitted to take a direct role in cases on appeal. You have the right not only to appeal a denied claim but also when you receive a rating you feel is too low. Our team can handle every aspect of your VA disability appeal.
Use a VA Nexus Letter
One of the most common reasons for a denied claim is the lack of service-connection. Even if there is no doubt that you are living with PTSD, the VA will not pay benefits if it is unclear if your condition is related to your service.
VA nexus letters are documents written by medical experts. They outline your medical history and rely on research journals to establish how your PTSD is linked to your service. These letters make for powerful evidence, but it is not always easy to find a doctor to write a PTSD nexus letter. An attorney could help with that process as well.
Avoiding Mistakes That Could Drag Down Your Rating
The unfortunate reality is that some common missteps could prevent you from securing a 100 percent VA disability rating for your PTSD diagnosis. Some of these issues are especially prevalent among veterans, including downplaying the severity of the condition. Many veterans are convinced that acknowledging mental health issues like PTSD is a sign of weakness. Unfortunately, this can leave the VA with the impression that the condition is not serious when nothing could be further from the truth. This is, unfortunately, something we see quite often.
Delays are also a significant problem in these cases. While there is no time limit on filing a claim for benefits, waiting too long to appeal a denial could have profound implications for your claim.
Talk to Gang & Associates About Your PTSD VA Rating
The good news is that if you have already filed a claim with the VA and received a low rating or a denial, you have the right to rely on legal counsel moving forward. The attorneys of Gang & Associates are proud to advocate on behalf of veterans, and we will work tirelessly to help you get the rating you deserve. While we cannot guarantee a 100 percent PTSD VA rating, we can assist with developing evidence that might result in an increase in your rating through the appeals process. Call today to learn more.